Automatic safety intake and outlet valve for tanks



Nov. 20, 1928. O 1,692,151

H. BENHAM AUTOMATIC SAFETY INTAKE AND OUTLET VALVE FOR TANKS Original Filed June 26, 1923 llllllllll I I l l l l I l llllHlIl 5' il F alga A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMATIC SAFETY INTAKE AND O'UFLPLET VALVE FOR TANKS.

Application filed June 26, 1923, Serial No. 647,825. Renewed October 3, 1927.

This invention relates to valve and closure means for tanks, .especially in what is commonly known as the thief hole in oil storage tanks, and it pertains to the special construction and arrangement thereof.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide automatic inlet of air into the tank when oil is drawn therefrom to prevent the formation of a vacuum in the tank.

Another object of the invention is to provide outlet means for excessive gas pressure accumulated in the tank.

A further object is to provide a closure for the thief hole in the tank.

The invention will be clearly understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the device.

lciligure 2 is a cross sectional view thereof; an

Figure 3 is a view of a portion of an oil storage tank showing the invention embodied therein.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, 1 denotes a. storage tank containing fuel or other oil. The device embodying the valve and closure comprises a circular base 2 and which has an integrally-formed up-standing central portionor rim 3. The base 2 has apertures 44 by means of which it is riveted or bolted to the tank 1.

Connected to the central portion 3 by a hinge 5 is a lid or closure 6 which is of such Weight that the gas pressure in the tank will lift the lid when the excess pressure has accumulated sufficient for this purpose. By means of a handle 3 the lid may alsobe manually lifted from the portion 3 when desired.

In the center of the lid 6 is a centrally positioned cup-like member 7, formed integrally if preferred with the lid. This member is for directing air into the tank and for protecting the spring and pin, referred to later. Slidably mounted within the lid 6 is the pin of the cup member, has an opening or openings 12 normally closed by the valve 10 under tension of spring 9. Thus when oil is drawn from the tank, air pressure from the outside will open the valve and prevent a vacuum forming in the tank.

What is claimed is:

In structure of the class described, the combination with a base forming a portion of a container and provided with an upstanding annular flange, of valve mechanism, comprising a. pin slidable in said base, said base being provided with port apertures therethrough adjacent said pin, a spiral spring surrounding the outer end of said pin and engaging the upper surface of said base, a valve member secured to the inner end of said pin and resiliently urged by said spring into contact with the under surface of said base to normally close said port apertures, but movable away from said port apertures against the pressure of said spring by the pressure of the external air to thereby admit air into said container upon the pressure of the air in said container being less than that of the external air, said annular flange surrounding and extending above the upper ends of said pin and spring, and also surrounding the upper ends of said port apertures, to protect said pin and spring from injury, and at the same time to protect said port apertures from the entrance therethrough of dust and other foreign matter into said container.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HENRY BENHAM. 

